Whitelaw Reid: “By all means let us avoid a fussy meddling with their customs, manners, prejudices, and beliefs.”

They should strive for distinction by economy, by industry, by sobriety, by patient perseverance in well-doing, by constant improvement of religious instruction, and by the constant practice of Christian virtues.

Never was there a problem more serious or difficult than that which is now before the Nation, as to this race, whose destiny has been confided to the wisdom and honor of our Government.

Our national experience has demonstrated that public order reposes most securely on the broad base of universal suffrage.

It has proved, also, that universal suffrage is the surest guarantee and most powerful stimulus of individual, social and political progress.